Mirena IUD

Mirena/Kyleena IUD is a soft plastic T-Shaped device containing hormone. It is placed in the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy, and can also lighten or even stop periods. It contains a hormone called "progestin." This hormone acts locally in the uterus to prevent pregnancy, instead of going throughout your whole body, the way the pill or some other hormonal methods do. The Mirena IUD also contains no estrogen, so it has fewer hormonal side effects and risks than typical pill.

How effective is the Mirena/Kyleena IUD?Very effective. Fewer that 1 in 100 women with the Mirena will get pregnant. It is as effective as having your tubes tied, but unlike a tubal, you can get pregnant in the future once the Mirena is removed.

How does the Mirena work?It prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from meeting the egg. It does this by several ways: it affects the ability of the sperm to swim toward the egg. It thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from passing the cervix, and if affects the ability of the ovary to release an egg. There is proposed, but not proven, theory that it may also prevent a pregnancy by preventing implantation of fertilized egg.

Will the Mirena/Kyleena help my periods?Many women’s periods become lighter and less crampy, and about 1 in 5 women's periods will stop altogether. You may experience some irregular spotting for the first few months after insertion, but that typically gets better with time.

Paragard IUD

The paragard IUD is a small, soft, flexible T-shaped device made primarily of plastic and copper. Like the Mirena IUD or Skyla IUD, it is inserted into the uterus and then provides continuous birth control. Unlike the Mirena or Skyla, it has no hormones of any kind. This may be a plus for women who desire no hormones, or are nursing. It is the only long-acting, highly effective birth control that contains no hormones. Having no hormones does mean that your periods will be unchanged from whatever they were like before you took birth control. For the first 6 months they maybe slightly heavier, crampier and longer before returning to normal.

Will Paragard help my periods?Because Paragard contains no hormones, you can expect your periods to be pretty much the same. For the first few months, they may even be a little crampier, heavier, and longer. If your periods are already heavy and crampy, we probably would not recommend Paragard for you.

How long does Paragard work for?

Paragard is FDA approved to provide birth control for 10 years. you may choose to have it removed at any time, though we do encourage you to keep it for at least 3 months before deciding to remove it, because most symptoms of bleeding/cramping will resolve the longer you have Paragard.

Nexplaon Arm PlantNexplanon is a small plastic rod that's inserted just under the skin of your upper arm. You will be able to feel it if you press on it with your fingers, but it is not visible. A tiny area is numbed before the Nexplanon is planted. Which feels like a bee sting. After the area is numb and most people feel nothing during the insertion.

How Effective is Nexplanon?Very effective. Fewer than 1 in 100 women with the Nexplanon will get pregnant. It is as effective as having your tubes tied, but unlike a tubal, you can get pregnant in the future once the Nexplanon is removed.

How does Nexplanon work?

Nexplanon continuously releases hormones for 3 years that keep your ovaries from releasing eggs, and thicken your cervical mucus, which help keep the sperm from ever reaching the egg.

Will Nexplanon help my periods?Yes for most women. Most women will find that their periods become lighter and fewer, and some women will stop having periods altogether. A minority of women will have irregular spotting the entire time Nexplanon is in, and some women are comfortable with this irregular spotting, while otheres may wish to have it removed for that reason.

How long does Nexplanon work for?Nexplanon is FDA-approved to provide birth control for 3 years. You may choose to have it removed at any time, though we do encourage you to keep it for at least 3 months, as most women's bleeding improves with time.